MYTH: I will be considered hard-working if the manager sees me at work early morning or late evenings.
REALITY: Managers distinguish between the time you have put into your work and the output you have produced.
Every organization recognizes and rewards the ones who run the extra mile to get things done. All employees want to be visible to ensure that they get rewarded, but being visible ‘in a large team is an issue for many. Some take it to an extreme, thinking that being present in front of the manager at any time will provide this visibility. However, it depends upon the, organization culture. in Some- organizations, a few ‘managers do want their team to be present when he is around but it is not true of all organizations.
People spend long hours at work. Most of them are genuinely working, while there may be a few who are in the office to give companionship to their colleagues who have to stay late. Some employees also spend extra time at the workplace to enhance their skills. Those who spend long hours because of work can be categorized into’ two types: the first comprises those who are slow and struggling to complete the assigned task; the second comprises the ones who are working hard to incorporate last-minute changes, or helping others in completing their modules or new work items. If an employee is of the first type, then the situation is basically his own creation, while in the case of the second type, managers do appreciate the effort they make to bring success to their project. Most managers are smart enough to differentiate between these two scenarios.
Some employees who spend long hours at the workplace are self-driven; they complete their task on time, help others and even resolve issues that may not be directly connected with their work. Sometimes, it becomes imperative to spend long hours—this may have to do with ‘solving an important customer issue or making a report for a stakeholder for an important meeting. Then there are the employees who spend those extra hours trying out new technologies or working on process improvement ideas. This lot usually gains visibility and respect from the manager.
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS THE EMPLOYEE? You can fool your manager once or twice by -staying late at the office, but eventually, he and your colleagues will come to know of your real contribution, If you are making yourself available for long hours in order to help others or to take up additional responsibilities, then this will not go unnoticed. But if you are staying late just because you have to complete your work, then you will be appreciated for meeting with the deadline, but nothing beyond that.
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS THE MANAGER? When an employee is staying late for no particular reason, then you have to ask yourself whether the employee is merely trying to grab your attention and win praise. You should be clear in your expectations, so that your employees do not have to indulge in this type of unproductive activities.
